Network Rail, one of the UK’s largest landowners, manages over 6,000 km of track and over 15,000 hectares of land across its Eastern Region.

Recognising its responsibility to protect and enhance biodiversity, Network Rail were set ambitious targets by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and DEFRA to achieve no net loss in biodiversity by 2024 and a 10% net gain by 2035.

To help meet these goals, Network Rail commissioned The Wildlife Trusts Consultancies to develop and deliver a biodiversity plan. EMEC was appointed to lead the project, drawing on its ecological expertise and proven delivery capabilities on a national scale.

Covering one of Network Rail’s largest and most ecologically diverse regions, including AONB and SSSIs, the project required extensive coordination, robust data gathering, and effective stakeholder engagement.

EMEC led a collaborative model with four WTCs - EcoNorth, Future Nature, Wildscapes, and Wilder Ecology  - supported by a team of eight ecologists, a project manager, and an engagement manager. Through tailored webinars and surveys over 1,700 stakeholders, ensuring local knowledge was embedded into the strategy.

Using ecological surveys, GIS mapping and stakeholder input, the team produced Habitat Management Plans, Sectional Asset Plans, and Biodiversity Asset Plans, integrating biodiversity enhancements into long-term management and investment decisions.

Project Outcome

The project demonstrated how national coordination, and local expertise can be combined to deliver large-scale biodiversity improvements.